Watchtower ONLINE LIBRARY

Acts 20:37

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures
- 37 Indeed, quite a bit of weeping broke out among them all, and they embraced Paul* and affectionately* kissed him,

Acts 20:37

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures—With References
- 37 Indeed, quite a bit of weeping broke out among them all, and they fell upon Paul’s neck+ and tenderly kissed+ him,

Acts 20:37

The Kingdom Interlinear Translation of the Greek Scriptures
- 37 ἱκανὸς Sufficient δὲ but κλαυθμὸς weeping ἐγένετο occurred πάντων, of all, καὶ and ἐπιπεσόντες having fallen ἐπὶ upon τὸν the τράχηλον neck τοῦ of the Παύλου Paul κατεφίλουν they were kissing down αὐτόν, him,

Acts 20:37

The Bible in Living English
- 37 And there was a good deal of weeping by everybody, and they threw themselves on Paul’s neck and kept kissing him,

Acts Study Notes—Chapter 20

New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures (Study Edition)
- 20:37
  
  embraced Paul: Lit., “fell upon Paul’s neck.” In the Scriptures, to embrace someone along with kissing and tears was a sign of great affection, something that these elders certainly felt for Paul.—See also Ge 33:4; 45:14, 15; 46:29; Lu 15:20.
  
  affectionately kissed him: Or “tenderly kissed him.” Paul’s genuine love for his brothers had endeared him to them. In Bible times, such friendship was often expressed with a kiss. (Ge 27:26; 2Sa 19:39) At times, kissing was accompanied by a warm embrace along with tears. (Ge 33:4; 45:14, 15; Lu 15:20) The Greek term rendered “affectionately kissed” has been understood to be an intensive form of the verb phi·leʹo, sometimes rendered “to kiss” (Mt 26:48; Mr 14:44; Lu 22:47) but more often meaning “to have affection for” (Joh 5:20; 11:3; 16:27).—Compare study note on Mt 26:49.